Fremantle Not Eyeing Percentage in Derby Clash with West Coast
So, there’s been a bit of buzz ahead of this weekend’s AFL western derby — Fremantle versus West Coast — but what’s really caught everyone’s attention isn’t just the matchup itself. It’s the mindset Fremantle is carrying into the game. Despite sitting just percentage points away from a coveted top-four spot on the ladder, the Dockers have made it crystal clear: this game isn’t about percentage.
Justin Longmuir, Freo’s senior coach, came out pretty strong on this. He said they’re not even discussing percentage behind closed doors, because to do so would be “disrespectful.” And when you look at how unpredictable derby games can be, it makes sense. West Coast might be sitting dead last with a 1–17 record and missing key players like Jeremy McGovern, Elliot Yeo, Oscar Allen, and Jake Waterman, but that underdog energy can sometimes flip a match on its head — especially in a rivalry like this.
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Now, Fremantle’s form against the top teams has been impressive — they’ve gone 6-2 against sides in the top half, including a gutsy one-point win over Collingwood last week where Pat Voss kicked six goals. But weirdly, it’s the lower-ranked teams that have tripped them up. They’ve dropped four games to clubs in the bottom nine, including Sydney (twice), St Kilda, and Melbourne. Even recent wins against North Melbourne and St Kilda came down to the wire. That kind of inconsistency has cost them in the percentage department — they’ve got the worst percentage of any team in the top nine.
Longmuir reckons the problem hasn’t been underestimating opponents, but rather putting too much pressure on themselves in games they’re “expected” to win. It’s a mental game at this point, and Saturday’s derby is shaping up to be a real test of Freo’s maturity — not just skill.
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter, meanwhile, is fully embracing the underdog role. He even likened this matchup to a finals game for his side, since finals footy won’t be on the cards this year. And to fire up the team, club legend David Wirrpanda even dropped in on a team meeting. You get the sense that, despite the odds, the Eagles are walking in with belief.
So while the numbers might suggest a Freo blowout, no one inside the club is taking anything for granted — especially not with local pride, top-four hopes, and rivalry bragging rights all on the line.
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